Onboard generator?

[Stu Jackson]

What is it that your guys on 25 and 26 foot boats

power up with a Honda 2000eu? Many of our C34 (and larger boat) brethren use 1000s although the smaller units won't heat the hot water, so they just use it for battery charging instead of their engines. The 2000 will heat the hot water, charge the batteries and run AC although not all at the same time.

What systems do you have on your relatively small boats that requires that size generator? Inquiring minds...

 

[seadaddler]

$72.00

I think I paid $72.00 a night in Fort Pierce,Fl for a slip with electric and water,maybe a pool and walk to town that had everything.
$200 a night they better serve breakfast ,lunch,dinner or I am on the hook for sure.
Nick

 

[Cpt. Jon]

What is it that your guys on 25 and 26 foot boats power up with a Honda 2000eu?
What systems do you have on your relatively small boats that requires that size generator? Inquiring minds...

Not sure if that's aimed at me or not, I don't need one or have one for my H25.5, but if I get a bigger boat this year like I'm hoping, I may want it for hot water and/or AC. If we are to be out this summer with an infant, I will definately want to make sure everyone is comfortable or I may not get out much this year again.

Again, I say might want one... I haven't needed one yet, I like the quiet, and have never needed too much electricity before, but we've only really run lights, instruments, bilge pump, and autopilot before. By the time I drop the hook, I probably have the engine running long enough to recharge what was used by the instruments/autopilot. There are other things I will need to buy long before getting a generator (especially if I can borrow from my parents down the street :dance: ). They are certainly pricey units, but I wouldn't get anything other than the honda either.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I think I paid $72.00 a night in Fort Pierce,Fl for a slip with electric and water,maybe a pool and walk to town that had everything.
$200 a night they better serve breakfast ,lunch,dinner or I am on the hook for sure.
Nick

Nick
You have never been to Nantucket during "the season".
Even the moorings are more expensive than that if you are lucky enough to find one.
The only reason I mentioned the $200 figure is to point out that economics of a genset is a relative term - if I still had my 27 footer with no hot water, microwave, A/C. separate refrig and freezer, ice maker, etc., all of which isn't necessary, the economics would be much different.

 

[Franklin]

Go with a Panda inclosed system running off safe Diesel. They are only 8Gs And the neighbors will not hear it if rigged right. Now my Phasor non-inclosed, terribly rigged diesel generator is a different story....sounds like an old army troop transporter. One day though I'll either get that thing quiet or I'll get a Panda.

 

[RECESS]

power up with a Honda 2000eu? Many of our C34 (and larger boat) brethren use 1000s although the smaller units won't heat the hot water, so they just use it for battery charging instead of their engines. The 2000 will heat the hot water, charge the batteries and run AC although not all at the same time.

What systems do you have on your relatively small boats that requires that size generator? Inquiring minds...

We want to do more than just charge the batteries.

 

[SeacretSailor]

Guys, I took your advice and checked the BTU's on my new boat's Ocean Air A/C unit and it's 1200 and not 1600 BTUs. wanted to ask 2 follow up questions:

1 - If it's 1200 BTUs, how would I know what wattage generator would be best to run this while at anchor? An 1800 watt, or 2000 watt?

2 - To wire it into the boat's AC system, some of you mentioned wiring the generator's two 15 amp AC outlets into a marine-type 30 amp connector and plugging it into the boat's AC outlet. Would anybody know where I could have one of these made, of if someone has made one and wired a generator into their boat, would you have a photo of the wiring cable that I could look at?

Thanks for the help.
Kevin

 

[sailaway78]

Most of the time

I think you will find that AC really isn't necessary in our area, when out on the water. AC is wonderful if your tied up at the dock, and not out. On the water it is usually cool enough to not be uncomfortable, is you have decent ventilation on your boat. Of all the sailors I know in this area, two of them have gensets that are capable of running the AC, and both of these are Panda diesel units. Personally I prefer the fresh air. Exception to this could be if anchored out for a couple days, and no air stirring.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I keep seeing people talking about hot water. I run my engine for 20 minutes in the evening sometimes to top off the batteries and heat my water. The water will still be warm in the morning when I get up.

When I use to have a wife (LOL) she was the fresh water princess so I had her shower in the mornings when I was leaving an anchorage (running the engine to heat up water and her electronics. My fresh water tanks will be happier now that she will never cruise aboard again (and my water pump).

I usually showered in the evening after I had run the engine for a few minutes. I had plenty of hot water and it cooled me off a bit.

 

[kloudie1]

Why connector

Here is the commercial connection I was talking about, Kevin.. Seems to be outrageously expensive.. http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|49758|299260|319692&id=1038342
If you were to go to Depot or Lowes, you can get all the piece/parts but it will be almost as much in the end.. Some other folks on the forum may have a better priced unit.. I didn't search a whole lot ..

 

[kloudie1]

Oh Yeah, I wanted to add that the 2000 watt unit is what ya want to go with for your 12000 BTU unit.. The starting current is what gets ya and the 2000 unit just barely makes it.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I just checked out the Honda Generators. You can find them on ebay for under $1000 easily. What do you pay for them in the stores? I am just surprised how small they are!

Wow. If I had a larger boat with AC that would be something I would consider!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Here is the commercial connection I was talking about, Kevin.. Seems to be outrageously expensive.. http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|49758|299260|319692&id=1038342
If you were to go to Depot or Lowes, you can get all the piece/parts but it will be almost as much in the end.. Some other folks on the forum may have a better priced unit.. I didn't search a whole lot ..

When I was in Lowes the other day, I noticed the shorepower plugs they had which were around $25 each. It might be cheaper to make up one on your own but the hardware store variety I looked at were not waterproof, had no collar and still required the cable which is also quite expensive. This is one of those thing where cheap isn't worth it.

This one might be the better choice:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|49758|299260|319692&id=140079

 

[Ron20324]

If you go with the Honda (about $1k I believe): The Honda catalog list the EU2000's 110 output recpetacles as the 20-amp female straight-blade type. With an output of 16.7 amps, you can use a single cord with a male 20-amp straight-blade (as opposed to twist-lock) plug on the generator end, and a female 30-amp for the boat end. Marinco Mfg. does not list such a cord, nor sell just the 20-amp plugs according to their book that i have. However, Honda has a number or cordsets, particularly # 6363626, a 5-foot, 30-amp female end. You'd get the 20-amp male end yourself, or maybe the dealer would make it for you.

Page 401 of the West catalog has 10-gauge cable for $11 a foot. You could get the ends at Home Depot or such. Marinco says you can use 12-guage AWG wire for 20 amps.

An option, if you buy new, maybe the dealer can change the 20-amp/110 receptacle for a 20 or 30-amp twistlock. Also, check around the marina- maybe someone has a piece of shore power cord and can help you out.

 

[RECESS]

Wow. If I had a larger boat with AC that would be something I would consider!

You just build a companion way door that holds a small ac unit ($100 with remote) and you have cool breezes anywhere in the world. If you really want to be slick you plug the ac into a cycle timer that has at least 4 on off cycles and you can set the ac to kick on at 4 set times through the night so it does not run all the time. The Honda will only ramp up when there is a load, so you save fuel to boot.

Example

You can slide it out and store it when you are underway or leave it in place.

 

[Hermit Scott]

Terry, I have a 16000 btu AC on my boat also. Is your AC unit alternating current motors? I was concerned that the start up amps would be too much for the 2000.
Recess-I thought about installing a small generator in the aft locker. There was concern about the heat. I am sure it can be done safely with proper engineering.

Does any one know how many hours you can get out of a honda 2000? There are alot of 2000 w generators at half the price of the e2000 with descent motors, but none that are as efficient, light and compact. They look worth the money for sure.

 

[Hermit Scott]

I have marine AC that came with my boat, but if/when that kicks the bucket I would consider a portable unit that would fit in my back quarter birth. They cost about $400. They would need an exaust port, like one of theose cowl vents installed for it. But I just wouldn't spend the dough to get another marine unit. I would rather have one I could take off the boat in one unit. But on a hot and muggy Georgia night, I bet you don't mind at all.
The AC in the companion way seems a little of a hassel when hanging out in the cockpit.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I have built a hatch board to rig an AC into the companionway of my Catalina 30. It is a bitch to take in and out and you have to step around it when getting in and out of the cabin. I use it at dock once in a blue moon if it is really muggy and I am going to be on the boat.

 

[RECESS]

Recess-I thought about installing a small generator in the aft locker. There was concern about the heat. I am sure it can be done safely with proper engineering.

The side of my aft locker comes off. I just need to run the generator with the side panel off or fabricate a side that is like generator sides that are fixed vents that extend out but shed rain.

 

[Jimmy P]

Kevin,

I have been researching this as well. I have a 2006 Hunter 33 with the Marine Air AC unit. It is 16K and everything I'm hearing is that it has difficulty or can not handle the surge at start-up. It may on a 12K but I am not sure.The Honda EU 2000 Companion has the locking 30 amp receptacle and will power everything else. It can stow away under the nav table and is extremely quiet. Here in Florida AC is a necessity when not underway, especially in July and August.

Everyone I have spoken to suggests a hard-start capacitor on the AC unit if trying to use the Honda but I haven't confirmed anything yet. It really comes down to a larger portable (the Honda 3K is just too bulky and heavy for my 33) or a Panda or some other built-in. I like the potability and cost of a carry-on gen unit but I'm doubtful it will power the AC while on the hook or a mooring. I'm planning another Keys run so anything any of you develop is also appreciated.

Jim P.